Foundation softball enters state playoffs as first-time district champ

OCOEE — Entering the Class 2A District 4 Tournament ranked as the No. 7 team in the state in its classification, the Foundation Lions were easy favorites to take the four-team district’s title.

On April 16, against host CFCA, the Lions (15-4) did just that as they downed the Eagles 12-1, in the final.

It wasn’t necessarily surprising — which isn’t to say the program’s first district title wasn’t special.

“We’ve had good teams in the past; there’s no doubt about that,” coach Randy Ames said as his girls celebrated with the district title trophy. “We kind of fell down a couple of times, but this time, we had the team and we had the heart. It did mean a lot, it really did. It kind of took the monkey off our back. We do have our sights set a little higher than this — but this was a key game for us here.”

For Leah Williams and Stevi Ames, two of the team’s three seniors and members of the team since they were in sixth grade, it was a particularly special moment given how so many of the Lions’ past seasons have ended.

“I’ve been here since sixth grade,” Williams said. “Our eighth-grade year, we were expected to win, too, and we lost to (CFCA). Every year, they have beaten us. It means a lot to me.”

Stevi Ames, who will play softball in college for Seminole State, led the way for Foundation by pitching a complete game and also driving in three runs.

Along with fellow senior Cheyanne Good, the trio has been instrumental in a season where the Lions have had a target on their backs throughout.

“The seniors have been key, all three of them,” Randy Ames said. “All three of them have really pulled this team along and got them where they are.”

The victory was sweet, but it was also just one step in a process. 

The next step for the program is to take aim at a regional championship, something it will look to take the first step toward when it hosts a regional quarterfinal on Thursday against Peniel Baptist (Palatka).

“It’s going to get harder and harder and harder, definitely,” Williams said. “We all get along really well — we play really together. This is the most talent we’ve ever had on a team. I’m just really excited about it.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].